Fox Theatre

Here is a 1950 article on the demise of the Fox architect:

LARRY P. LARSEN OF WEBB CITY DIES
Owner of Civic Theater and Designer of More Than 100 Playhouses
Succumbs Unexpectedly.

Larry P. Larsen, 57 years old, 119 North Ball street, died at 12:40 o'clock this afternoon in St. John's hospital in Joplin. He had been ill three years,, but was not hospitalized recently until about 11 o'clock this morning.

He was an architect and contractor, having built more than 100 theaters in all parts of the country. He designed and built the Fox theater in Joplin and the Civic Theater and Civic Drive-In restaurant in Webb City. He also remodeled the Junior theater, which he owned, and the sanctuary of the Presbyterian church.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990

Fox Theater (added 1990 - Building - #90001100)
Also known as Central Assembly Christian Life Center
415 S. Main St., Joplin
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Gillioz,M.F.,Construction Co., Larsen,L.P.
Architectural Style: Mission/Spanish Revival
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Religion
Current Sub-function: Religious Structure

Address: 415 S Main St

This is the registration form for the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1930.

A 1986 view of the Fox Theater building in Joplin.

Here is a 2008 photo.

1982 photo of the Fox Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c25%2c3%2c-1&SortField=ProductName+DESC%2cProductName&ProductID=29149

This is the website for the Central Christian Center. They use a different address (410 S. Virginia Ave) than the Fox Theater used.

LM the address on S. Virginia is a new building that they built next to the back of the theatre.

No wonder the address is different. I thought that a new entrance might have been added to the rear of the building.

Here are postcard views of the Fox Theatre (click on image for closer view;
1936
http://cdm.sos.mo.gov/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/jplnpstcrds&CISOPTR=585&CISOBOX=1&REC=12
1937
http://cdm.sos.mo.gov/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/jplnpstcrds&CISOPTR=589&CISOBOX=1&REC=10

Was looking at the E. 5th St. & Virginia Ave backstreet view of the Fox Theatre on the Google Maps function. Theatre auditoriums that were located on side streets were generally plain with only common brick, but not the Joplin Fox. The Fox auditorium exterior is impressive with tapestry brickwork and massive stagehouse. Obviously there also had once been a Virginia Ave entrance.
Take a look for yourself!

This 1940 postcard aerial (photo center) view shows the Fox rooftop with its own private water tower.
http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?g=vm;med=1;sid=8c6d8b3650dbb5038a0ae326d2155104;q1=joplinic;rgn1=joplinic_all;size=20;c=joplinic;lasttype=boolean;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;subview=detail;cc=joplinic;entryid=x-jpl10-und-307-und-104-und-a-und-a;viewid=10_307_104_A_A;start=81;resnum=89